We love hiking in our national parks!
What is your favorite part? Discovering new places? Seeing amazing views? Finding traces of animal tracks? The way it smells?
What if you got separated from your hiking buddies?
What would you do?
The first thing to remember: Plan ahead and put these important things in your backpack.
* Whistle - Your voice doesn't carry very far in the forest which makes it hard for people to find you. A whistle is very loud and can be heard from far away. Don't blow it unless it's an emergency! (if you're lost or need help)
* Trash bag - Why? Just in case you get lost and it's getting cold, you can wrap this around you to keep heat next to your body.
* Jacket - But it's sunny! Having an extra layer can help you if the sun goes down and it gets cold. It also could help you if you needed a bandage.
* Water - Everyone should have water with them when they hike and an extra bottle is great to have in case of emergencies.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
